Tommy Bignell

              On Thursday, December 11th, 2025, Tom succumbed to his terminal illness with his family by his side at the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg, MB, at the age of 66 years.

              Tom was born in The Pas on Friday, July 17, 1959 to parents Louis Sr. and Mary Jane Bignell. He was the youngest of the four children. Tom grew up in Thicket Portage, spending his younger years playing sports and helping his dad on the trap line. He attended high-school in Cranberry Portage.

On June 29th, 1979, Tom married Lorraine in a double wedding with Maurice and Jesse Clemons in Thicket Portage. Tom and Lorraine had three children, Melanie (May 17, 1977), Tommy Jr. (March 9, 1981), and Mary Jane (October 4, 1991). Tom and Lorraine lived in Thompson for many years where he worked as a carpenter, painter, drywaller, and maintenance assistant. Tom moved the family to The Pas in the early 90’s to have a fresh start and attend Keewatin Community College for Business Administration. During his time in college, he was vice president of the student council and made many lifelong friendships. He graduated in 1992, shortly after, Tom started his journey in the financial services as a loan officer at Scotiabank. After two years at Scotiabank, he applied for the fisheries loan officer at CEDF. He told his daughter that he was up against people with degrees and when the hiring committee asked what makes him stand out from the others, he told them, “I speak Cree.” CEDF hired him and Tom retired with CEDF after 28 years of service. After his retirement, he was a board member on the Opaskwayak treasury board.

Tom met Marlene in 1996, he would jokingly say he picked her up at the Gateway steps and Marlene would always set him straight. My dad told Marlene if they were still together in 2007, he would marry her. Sure enough, Marlene reminded him of his promise and they married July 7, 2007. Marlene and Tom spent their years camping and travelling all over North America. They spent their summers at Rocky Lake at their campsite they had for many years. Their favorite place to go was Las Vegas. They loved each other very much and would call each other, my “hunny bunny.” They were partners in crime until the very end. He often expressed how lonely he was without his wife after she passed away on August 20, 2025.

Tom enjoyed playing pool at The Pas Billiards, his teams were called “The Old Pokes” and “How Legends Were Made.” He was very proud of his shot and often went to tournaments. He won 2nd place in a tournament in Alberta and carried his plaque in his truck. He also attended a tournament in Las Vegas where he made it on TV.

Tom and Marlene often hosted poker games at the house with his buddies where their laughs were heard throughout the house. I would often hear dad yell, “ahhh shit,” when he was eliminated from the game. His poker buddies gave him the nickname, “bubble boy.”

Tom was a huge fan of the Montreal Canadians, he would travel to different cities to watch them play, including Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. The best time to ask to borrow money was when the Habs won.

Tom proudly held the title of Dad and Papa. He often would have at least have one of his Bignell girls with him during his trips and would use these trips to share stories to his girls of his life. Tom was loved and surrounded by his girls and would often tease the girls for their laughs. Toms humour was that of a special kind and would carry on to his daughter, granddaughters and even his chapan.

Tom is predeceased by his parents, Louis Sr. and Mary Jane Bignell; sister Maria Jane Bignell; daughter Melanie Mae Clemons; sister in law Alice Bignell; sister in law Stella Bignell; the mother of his children Lorraine Bignell; his wife Marlene Bignell; best friend Darren “Boing” Stevenson; brothers in law Joe and Jim; niece Monica Duncan; nephew David Bignell; grand cat Dingleberry; and numerous family and friends.

Tom is survived by his children Tommy Jr., Maryjane (Curtis); stepson from first marriage Ryan (Lillian); grandchildren Jett, Dallas, Melanie; step grandchildren, Jessica, Sam, Paige, Brittany; grand cat Cheeto Bandito; chapan Vivianna; siblings Norman, Coconut (Phyllis); half sibling Joe; sisters and brothers in law from Marlene’s side, numerous Godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  If we forgot anyone it was not intentional.

WAKE SERVICE

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Veteran’s Hall, Opaskwayak, Manitoba

FUNERAL SERVICE

Monday, December 22, 2025

1:00 pm

Veteran’s Hall, Opaskwayak, Manitoba

Presider: Rev. Gloria Lavallee

Music Ministry: Russell Cook Memorial Singers

INTERMENT

Lakeside Cemetery, The Pas, Manitoba

RECEPTION

Veteran’s Hall, Opaskwayak, Manitoba

PALLBEARERS

Ron Moar, Melvin Contois Sr., Mike Zolinski,

Tommy Bignell Jr., Dale Bignell, Curtis Chartier,

Erik Bignell, Pat Moose.

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Louis “Coconut” Bignell, Norman Bignell, Ryan Clemons, John Clemons, Joe Nabess, Charles Duncan, Don Dorian, All Tommy’s Godchildren, nieces, nephews,

CEDF Coworkers, Pool Team Mates, Poker Buddies, Camping Buddies, and All Tommy’s Life Long Friends.